Galatians 6:8

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 'He that soweth unto his own flesh' [ eis (G1519) teen (G3588) sarka (G4561) heautou (G1438)], with a view to fulfilling its desires. He does not say, 'his own spirit,' as he does, 'his own flesh.' For in ourselves we are not spiritual, but carnal. The flesh is essentially selfish. CORRUPTION, [ fthoran (G5356)] - i:e., destruction ...

8._For he that soweth to his flesh_. Having stated the general sentiment, he now divides it into parts. To _sow to the flesh_, is to look forward to the wants of the present life, without any regard to a future life. They who do this will gather fruit corresponding to the seed which they have sown, — will heap up that which shall miserably perish. _To sow in the flesh_, (_seminare in carne _,) is supposed by some to mean indulgence in the lusts of the flesh, and corruption to mean destruction; but the former exposition agrees better with the context. In departing from the old translation and from Erasmus, I have not acted rashly. The Greek words , ὁ σπείρων εἰς τὴν σάρκα ἑαυτοῦ, literally signify, _he that soweth into his flesh_. And what else does this mean, but to be so entirely devoted to the flesh, as to direct all our thoughts to its interests or convenience? But he that sowe

6-11 Many excuse themselves from the work of religion, though they may make a show, and profess it. They may impose upon others, yet they deceive themselves if they think to impose upon God, who knows their hearts as well as actions; and as he cannot be deceived, so he will not be mocked. Our present time is seed time; in the other world we shall reap as we sow now. As there are two sorts of sowing, one to the flesh, and the other to the Spirit, so will the reckoning be hereafter. Those who live a carnal, sensual life, must expect no other fruit from such a course than misery and ruin. But those who, under the guidance and influences of the Holy Spirit, live a life of faith in Christ, and abound in Christian graces, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. We are all very apt to tire in duty, particularly in doing good. This we should carefully watch and guard against. Only to perseve...

Verse 8. _HE THAT SOWETH TO HIS FLESH_] In like manner, he that _sows to the flesh_-who indulges his sensual and animal appetites, shall have _corruption_ as the _crop_: you cannot expect to lead a bad life and go to heaven at last. According as your present life is, so will be your eternal life whether your _sowing_ be to the _flesh_ or to the _Spirit_, so will your eternal _reaping_ be. To _sow_, here, means transacting the concerns of a man's _natural life_. To _reap_, signifies his _enjoyment_ or _punishment_ in _another world_. Probably by _flesh_ and _Spirit_ the apostle means _Judaism_ and _Christianity._ Circumcision of the _flesh_ was the principal _rite_ of the former; circumcision in the _heart_, by the _Spirit_, the chief rite of the latter; hence the one may have been called _flesh_, the other, _Spirit_. He who rejects the Gospel, and trusts...

FOR HE THAT SOWETH TO HIS FLESH - That makes provision for the indulgence of fleshly appetites and passions; see the notes at Galatians 5:19. He who makes use of his property to give indulgence to licentiousness, intemperance, and vanity. SHALL OF THE FLESH - From the flesh, or as that which indulgence in fleshly appetites properly produces. Punishment, under the divine government, is commonly in the line of offences. The punishment of licentiousness and intemperance in this life is commonly loathsome and offensive disease; and when long indulged, the sensualist becomes haggard, and bloated, and corrupted, and sinks into the grave. Such, also, is often the punishment of luxurious living, of a pampered appetite, of gluttony, as well as of intemperate drinking. But if the punishment does not follow in this life, it

EXPOSITION GALATIANS 6:1 BRETHREN, IF (or, _although_)_ _A MAN BE OVERTAKEN IN A FAULT (ἀδελφοί ἐὰν καὶ προληφθῇ ἄνθρωπος ἔν τινι παραπτέματι);_ brethren_',_ if even a man hath been overtaken in some trespass. _"Brethren;" the compellation so introduced betokens a somewhat pathetic urgency: el. above, Galatians 3:15; Galatians 4:31; Galatians 5:11. But Philippians 3:13,...

FOR HE THAT SOWETH TO HIS FLESH,.... Not that taking due care of a man's body, seeking the preservation of its health, providing proper food and raiment for himself, and all necessaries for the good and support of his family, is to be called sowing to his flesh, nor is he to be called a carnal sower; but he is such an one that pampers his flesh, gratifies and indulges the lusts of it, who minds the things of the flesh, lives after it, and does the works of it, who spends his substance in a luxurious way upon himself and family; or whose whole bent, and study, and employment, is to increase his worldly riches, to aggrandize himself and posterity, to the neglect of his own soul, the interest of religion, the poor of the church, and ministers of the Gospel: SHALL OF THE FLESH REAP CORRUPTION; shall by such carnal methods procure for himself, in this world, nothing but what is corruptible,...

Galatians 6:1. _Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault,_ He is a slow traveler; he is not speeding swiftly on the way to heaven, so the fault overtakes him. Had he been quicker of pace, he might have outstripped it; but he is «overtaken in a fault.» What then? Turn him out of the church? Have done with him? No. «If a man be overtaken in a fault,» Galatians 6:1. _Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;_ Pick him up, help him to run better than he did before. Galatians 6:1. _Considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted._ Paul does not say, «Lest thou also fall;» but, «Lest thou also be tempted,» as much as to say, «

CHAPTER 6 _ 1. Concerning the Restoration of a brother. (Galatians 6:1)_ 2. Concerning Reaping and Sowing. (Galatians 6:6) 3. The conclusion. (Galatians 6:11) Practical exhortations conclude the defense of the gospel. The previous chapter stated that they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh and its lusts. In the beginning of this chapter the treatment to be accorded to a man (a brother) who has been overtaken in a fault is given. The law would demand the cutting off of such a one. It is harsh and merciless. But grace bears a different message. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself,

GALATIANS 5:13 TO GALATIANS 6:10. Practical appendix to the epistle; in the form of guarding the doctrine of free grace against antinomian abuse....